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HON. DANIEL P. COOK: 



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JUNE 9, 18 57, 



B y AVILLIAM H. BR O W N, E 



i RK IDEXT OF SUD SOCIETy. 



PUBLISHED DY VOTE OF THE SOCIETY. 



CHICAGO: 

I ITS, BROSS k SPEARS, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 

IMILT PRF.K? OFFICBt 45 CLARK STRF.KT. 






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U IX. DANIEL \\ COOK: 



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J U X E 9, L857, 



By WILLIAM IT. BROWN, Esq., 



PREglDI M Or MID mp, ii M 



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F T II I. 801 i i. n 



CHICAGO : 4 



SCRIPP8, BROSfi 5PEAB8, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 

', .". U.AKK BTB 



; 















M E M < > I R 



OP TIIK LATE 



1I0X. DA MEL P. COOK. 



T<> tJu M< mix V8 of t},, i 'hioago Historical Socu />/ : 

At your request, I have prepared a brief memoir of 
the late linn. Daniel Pi Cook, our second representative in 
Congress from this State, and in honor of whom, the County 
of Cook was appropriately named. I have undertaken the 
task the more readily, because I deem it desirable and 
important t<> preserve our early statistics, and some facte 
history in connection with this gentleman — ami because I 
take pleasure in perpetuating the memory of one of my first 
and constant friends, and vindicating his character from 
some of the aspersions casi upon it in times of high political 
excitement. Though confessedly a Labor of friendship, it is 
believed that no partial coloring has impaired tin- truthful- 
ness <>\' the picture — and certainly no attempt is made t<» 
underrate the character or talents of Mi'. ( Iqok's competitors 
t<> enhance his merits or exalt hi- virtues. 

An interval of thirty years i- a potent anodyne. It gives 
time I'm- many "second sober thoughts," and clears tin' 
vision of prejudice ami passion. It obliterates the rough 
and angular points of character, and brings out tin- milder 
virtues of your adversary. ( iradually and imperceptibly his 
failings ami foibles are forgotten, and memory dwells only 
<>n what was Lovely and of "g 1 report." 







MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



Mr. Cook was born of very respectable parentage, in the 
County of Scott, in the State of Kentucky, about the year 
1704. 'In his early youth, he enjoyed only such means of 
education as were afforded by the common schools of his 
native State. If he studied the classics at all, it must have 
been in the later years of his life, and after he had entered 
upon its arduous duties. It is, however, certain he pursued 
no collegiate course. 

When quite young he was placed by his parents in a 
mercantile establishment, but continued therein but a short 
time. This sphere was too limited for his high aspirations ; 
and leaving trade and commerce to minds less ardent than 
his own, he commenced the study of the law with the late 
Hon. John Pope, of Kentucky, then in the zenith of his 
fame, and engaged in a large and lucrative practice. 

Mr. Cook came to the Territory of Illinois in the latter 
part of the year 1815, and established himself in business 
at Kaskaskia, the seat of the Territorial Government, and 
the only considerable town in the country, embracing a 
population of from seven hundred to one thousand inhab- 
itants, two-thirds of whom were native French. He entered 
successfully into the practice of the law, attending the courts 
in all the then organized counties^ (except those upon the 
Wabash) and in the lower counties in the Territory of 
Missouri. The business of the courts at this period was 
comparatively small, owing to the few inhabitants in the 
Territory, and the limited business transacted by them. It 
is probable that few, if any, of the profession, at that day, 
supported themselves exclusively by their practice. Many 
were engaged in agricultural pursuits ; and others occupied 
a portion of their time in land speculations. 



* These Counties were Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, 
Franklin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Gallatin, White, Edwards, Crawford and 
Washington. 










I 



[ION. DANIEL P. COOK, 




Iii tin- early pari of the year L816, Mr. Oook became ■ 
joint owner in the office of the Illinois Intelligencer^ the 
only newspaper and printing office in the Territory, and 
assumed the duties of an Editor. [Jntbrtnnately, the files 
of tin- paper of thai period were not preserved; and no 
opportunity is now afforded to form an opinion of the man- 
ner in which those duties were discharged —but from the 
known talents and industry of Mr. C. it may be Bafely 
assumed that while under his management, the paper took 
a bigh rank amongst its cotemporaries, and exerted a 
healthy influence in the community. With the printing of 
the Laws and Journals of the Territorial Legislatures, and 
blanks for the public offices, at prices which would now 
astonish a practical printer, it is certain the business was 
Lucrative and yielded a competent support to its conductors. 

It appears by the record of appointments, thai Governor 
Edwabds conferred npon Mr. C. the office of A.uditor of 
Public Accounts, in the month of January of that year. If 
the office was accepted by him, he could have continued in 
it but for a Bhort time. 

Late in this vear, or early in 1817, President Monroe 
selected Mr. 0. as hearer of dispatches to the late John 
Qutn< v A.DAM6, then Minister at the English Court, to recall 
that gentleman, preparatory to his assuming the office of 
Secretary of State, to which office he had been appointed 
upon the formation of Mr. Monroe's cabinet. Mr. ('. per- 
formed that duty, and in due time returned and resumed 
his practice and other duties. 

Shortly alter his return, Mr. CoOK was appointed a Cir- 
cuit Judge. Hi- district embraced the counties of Bond, 
Madison, St. Clair, Randolph and Monroe, containing a 
la rue territory of nearly one-third of the present Limits of the 
State. Jle retained this office bul a short time, and could 
have held hut one or two termsofhis courts. He acquired, 
however.au enviable reputation as a Judge, evincing talent, 










energy and promptness — and was as popular as a judicial 
officer, as when pursuing his profession at the Bar. 

Upon the organization of the State government, in 
December, 1818, Mr. C. was elected by the Legislature 
Attorney General for the new State, which office he held 
until October in the following year. 

The State of Illinois was virtually admitted into the Union 
in October, 1818, but by a provision in the Constitution, an 
election for State officers, and for a representative in Con- 
gress, was to be held on the third Thursday of September of 
that year, for the short session, expiring March 3, 1819. 
Mr. Cook became a candidate, and was opposed by the late 
Hon. John McLean, then a resident of Shawneetown. It is 
hardly necessary to say, that during the administration of 
Mr. Monkoe, there was a remarkable political calm through- 
out the entire country. The great questions, which before 
had been eagerly and acrimoniously discussed by the people, 
and had divided the nation into the two great political par- 
ties of Democrats and Federalists, had either been decided, 
or by general consent postponed to an indefinite future. 
The course pursued by Mr. Monroe gave universal satisfac- 
tion, and the people enjoyed, for six or eight years, a politi- 
cal millenium. That quietude and peace, in common with 
others, was enjoyed by our early settlers. It is not, how- 
ever, to be forgotten, that early in the territorial history, as 
well as in the first six years after Illinois became a State, 
the disturbing question of slavery formed an important 
element in the politics of that period. There was a strong 
party in favor of introducing slavery at the election of dele- 
gates to the convention which formed the Constitution — 
but it is as well known that the principles of liberty pre- 
vailed, and the whole question was set at rest by the decisive 
vote of 1824, when this subject was brought directly before 
the people. 

Another element of division in our politics was personal 



& 




Is 






HON. I> \ .n 1 l l. r. K. 



preferences, <>r the existence of panic- for the advancement 
of particular individuals or their friends. Thus there were 
the Edwabds party and the Bond party, the respective 
adherents of either, warmly contending and at niggling for 
office and supremacy. Tlie leaders of these parties w< 
(i<>\. Edwards, Judge Nathaniel Pops and Mr. Cook, 
professed anti-slavery men (though the two first were slave- 
holders) "M the one side, and ( ;<>v. Bond, Elias Ki m K lne, 
Iris Secretary of State, and John McLean on the other. 
The former, of course, supported Sir. Ocok, while the Latter 
naturally fell into Mr. M< Lean's rank-. This gentleman 
was a Kciituckian by birth, and a Leading member of the 
Bar, in the south-eastern part of the Stale. Possessed of 
fine talents, and an unblemished character, he was at that 
time, and continued t<» be until the day of hi- death, one of 
the nic-t popular men in the State, lie was subsequently 
speaker of "in- Eonse of Representatives, and in \^-<'<. was 
elected a Senator in Congress. He died at an early age, 
possessing, in a rare degree, tin- confidence and esteem of 
all who enjoyed his personal acquaintance. 

The election thus held in September, seems not t<> have 
excited genera] interest. The State ticket was a compro- 
mise "tic- composed of Col. Bond, for Governor, from the 
one Bide, and Col. Pdzbbe Mi:.\ led, an excellent ami worthy 
French citizen, from the other. The contest was mainly for 
Congress, and Mr. McLean succeeded by only fourteen 
majority. 

A: the special election in the summer of L819, the same 
gentlemen were candidates for Congress, and great exer- 
tions were made by the candidates themselves, and their 
respective friends. No election, before or smce, caused 
more feeling and effort. The exciting Missouri question, 
had. at the previous session, been brought into the halls of 
< gress, and upon preliminary votes, Mr. McLean had 
favored the pro-slavery party, and indicated his de-ire that 









MEMOIK OF THE LATE 



the State should be admitted without the proposed restric- 
tion. In addition to this, he had been so unfortunate in 
some of his addresses before the people, as to offend some 
of the more recent immigrants from the Eastern States, and 
as a general thing, lost their votes. Mr. Cook was elected 
by a fair majority. As in former contests, the old question 
of slavery was prominent. The anti-slavery party rallied 
around Mr. Cook's standard and insured his success. 

In 1820 the contest was renewed. Mr. McLean, satisfied 
with the efforts of the previous year, and unwilling to risk 
another defeat, declined to be a candidate. The Hon. E. 
K. Kane was brought out as Mr. Cook's competitor. 

The question of the admission of the State of Missouri as 
a slave State was still more directly before the people. The 
old pro-slavery party, represented by Mr. Kane, were 
against imposing any restriction upon the proposed new 
State — while the other party were, to some extent, divided. 
Many, who theretofore had acted, in our local struggles as 
anti-slavery men, were disposed to leave the question to the 
decision of those most immediately interested — others, and 
perhaps the larger portion, looked upon the admission of 
another slave State as a great evil to be resisted at all 
hazards. Both candidates, however, were understood to 
be in favor of the admission of this State with a constitu- 
tion admitting slavery, Mr. Kane from choice, and Mr. 
Cook from policy. The contest, therefore, in 1820, was 
mostly a personal one, depending mainly upon the popu- 
larity of the candidates. Mr. Kane was badly defeated, 
obtaining a majority in only one county in the State. Mr, 
Cook's majority was two thousand four hundred and eighty 
two in a vote of less than eight thousand, or nearly two to 
one in his favor. 

On his first entrance into Congress, Mr. C. was placed 
upon the committee on public lands, the most important to 
the people he represented. At this period, and before, the 




M 



-w& 



government lands were in market at two dollars per acre, 
one-fourth in cash, and the residue upon a credil of five 
years. The comparatively prosperous yean immediately 
before the formation of the State Government, had induced 
the wildesl speculations in the public lands. Every man 
who could command the sura of $80.00 (the cash paymenl 
upon L60 acre-, then the smallesl subdivision), became a 
quasi land holder, and a debtor to the government. The 
financial revulsion throughout the country, Boon after the 
close of the war of 1812, reached the west in L819. Men 
who bad supposed themselves pi bs< seed of large wealth, 
suddenly discovered their error. They bad, it is true, an 
equitable claim to many quarter sections of land, but the 
claim was valueless, and the land unsaleable ; and in addi- 
tion to this embarrassment, they were largely indebted to 
the government for the sums remaining unpaid upon their 
purchases. It may be Bafely stated, that, from this cause, 
at leasl one-half of those who had been considered tin- 
men of capital in the country, were reduced from supposed 
wealth to positive bankruptcy. 

To relieve the country from this Load of deht, Mr. Cook 
warmly advocated plan- of relief, which resulted in a gen- 
era) law abolishing the credit system, and reducing the 
price of land to $1.25 per acre.* Former purchasers were 
permitted to consolidate their entries and relinquish the 
surplus quarter sections to the government. By the opera- 
tion of this law, individuals secured, in fee >imple, the 
Dumber of acres of land they bad actually paid tor. at the 
rate of $2 per acre, and were released from their liabilities 

for further payments. Mr. ( ' ^ introduced and advocated, 

at the session of L820 21, a resolution giving preemption 




•At ;i subsequent election, Mr Cook, a considerable land owner, under the 

ti per acre law, was chftrged with Opposition t>> the Den law. The writer lias 
abondanl evidence in 1. the fhlsitj of this ohai 

"J 




^ 



30' 



10 




MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



rights to settlers on the public lands. It was the first effort 
made in this direction, and tailed of success. It was, how- 
ever, the germ of the policy thereafter adopted, and from 
which our citizens have derived great and incalculable 
advantages. 

Mr. Cook voted in Congress against the admission of 
Missouri. As he had given the people to understand, 
during the canvass, that he would favor that measure, his 
vote excited surprise, and called forth from his opponents 
unmerited abuse and bitter denunciations. Bribery and 
corruption, the violation of pledges, deception and double 
dealing, were rung upon all their various changes, and for 
the time being, Mr. C. apparently lost his hold upon the 
confidence and affections of the people. 

His reasons for his change of mind were given in his 
speech in Congress when the bill was before that body, and, 
inasmuch as this one of Mr. Cook's acts, which has been 
loudly denounced, it is proper he should be heard in his 
defense, and in his own words. The following extracts, it is 
thought, will place this subject in a proper light, and enable 
the reader to form an opinion as to the propriety of the 
course he saw fit to adopt. 



* 



"When," said 



Mr. C, "he first arrived at 
Washington, he, for the first time, met the objection which 
was now urged against the constitution of Missouri; and, 
perhaps, under the influence of a strong anxiety for her 
admission, had examined the question, as he thought, thor- 
oughly, and for a considerable time saw no reason to 
change his determination. Under the conviction produced 
by that examination, he had, as he hoped he always should 
do, fearlessly expressed his opinion in favor of her admission. 
He even now, notwithstanding his opinion was changed, 
freely declared that all his predilections were in favor of 
such a vote. Missouri, he said, was the near adjoining 
neighbor of Illinois, and notwithstanding an unhappy dif- 
ference of opinion upon political subjects had created 
between their respective citizens, a rancor and animosity, 









T^ 



1 



HON. DAN IEJ P. « "<H< . 




which lie wrll knew tin- vote lie was aboul to eive would 
ii. 'i m the least allay avofce, al which, lie also knew, many 
of ill — constituents would be greatly disturbed when they 
beard of it. yel be should be glad to Bee ber admitted and 
placed ii|»'»u an equal footing with the State he had the 
honor t<» represent. 

* '•■' •• "In order to be a State in the Union, or to be 
entitled to become Buch, be considered it an indispensable 
pre-requisite, <»n ber part, to form a Constitution in con- 
formity to die principles of the Federal Constitution, and 
in conformity to the conditions presented by the act, in 
virtue of which her Constitution, upon it- face, professed to 
have been formed. That she had not formed such a Consti- 
tution, be thought was lairly deducible from the argument 
he was about n> make. 

"The Constitution of the United State-, said ln\ gives to 
'Congress the power to disposi of, and make all needful 
rules and regulations respecting the territory and other 
property of the Tinted States." This, Baid Mr. ('., is a 
genera] power; and in its exercise, he apprehended that 
Congress had a right to dispose of that territory to whomso- 
ever they pleased. He said it had been admitted by gentle- 
men <>n Imth sides of the question, that free negroes and 
mulattoes were competent to hold real estate; and that they 
did hold it in almost, it' not quite, every State in the Union. 
They are, therefore, competent, he observed, upon the 
admission of all parties, to purchase Buch estate from the 

Tinted State-. But the Constituti >f Missouri declares, 

'that it -hall be the duty of the Legislature, a> soon aa may 
be, to pass such laws as may be necessary to prevent free 
negroes and mulattoes from coming to and settling in that 
State, under any pretense whatsoever; 5 a provision, said he, 
which, notwithstanding their competency to purchase, and 
the indisputable power of ( Congress to sell to them, clearly 
asserts a controlfing power over the rights of these indi- 
viduals, and the paramount authority of Congress. ' :: ' * 
Mr. C. >aid there was another view of that clause 
of the Missouri Constitution, under which it Beemed -till 
more obviously in violation of the Federal Constitution. 
Congress, be said, by virtue of the general power which it 
possessed to dispose of the territory of the United State-, 
for the purpose of obtaining the military services of persons, 





as well of tliis as every other description, had offered them 
a land bounty, to many of whom, and embracing free 
negroes and mulattoes, patents had already been issued for 
lands in Missouri. lie said persons of this description, to 
his own knowledge, had purchased land in Illinois, and he 
had no doubt such was the case in Missouri. Whether they 
had or not, however, did not vary the case — the principle 
was the same. In the soldier, as well as the purchaser, 
therefore, he begged leave to say, the Government of the 
United States vested a fee simple estate in those lands. This 
title he considered to consist of the possession, the right of 
possession and the right of property — and he thought, when 
he asserted that the Government had guaranteed all these 
features of the right which it vested both in the soldier and 
the purchaser, that no honorable member would hazard a 
denial of that assertion. Under this guaranty, he contended 
the United States incompetent, unless for public purposes, 
and then only by paying a fair equivalent therefor, to 
deprive them of this property. And yet Missouri, through 
a subordinate Legislature, if her Constitution be allowed t< > 
operate, does virtually take it away without paying any 
equivalent whatever; for if a person be not allowed to 
enjoy the possession of his property, he is virtually deprived 
of it. 

" But the United States are bound, both to the soldier and 
purchaser, to protect him in the enjoyment of his property. 
It constitutes, by every principle of law and reason, a part 
of the original contract. The Government, for this obliga- 
tion, has received a full consideration, and yet Missouri, in 
direct violation of that provision of the Federal Constitution 
which forbids any State to pass any 'ex post facto law, or 
law impairing the obligation of contracts,' has virtually pro- 
vided that those contracts which have been completed by 
the issuing of patents, shall, by the ex jiost facto operation 
of her Constitution, be annulled, and the force of the contract 
wholly impaired ; and, by its prospective operation, as 
virtually impairs the obligation of those contracts which 
are as yet executory for the want of patents. 

->:- -x- * a jy[ Y q repeated that his feelings were in 
favor of the admission of Missouri — that both personal and 
political reasons combined to render it a desirable event — 
and were it consistent with his sense of the duty which he 



W 




a 



<s 







HON. I'A N 1 EL P. i. 



i:; 




owed to the country and the Constitution, to give Buch a 
vote upon the resolution under consideration, ne was sure 
no member on that door would do it with more pleasure. 
i'.nt while he considered the Constitution the rock upon 
which our temple of liberty must Btand, and having Bworn 
to Bupporl it, he felt himself called apon to forego all such 
considerations, and defend it against infringement. Should 
we suffer, sii<l Mr. C, our individual feelings and wishes t" 
enter into our deliberations ami discussions, so far a- to 
govern our public conduct, those feelings and wishes, like 
the imperceptible rising <>f the tide, will finally run over 
« very principle of the Constitution, and we shall ultimately 
find ourselves floating at large upon the open sea of uncer- 
tainty, without a Bingle landmark to guide ns." 

In the summer of l^iM. Mr. Cook was united in marriage 
with Miss Julia Edwards, the eldest daughter of the late 
Governor Edwards, a young lady of great personal charms 
and finished education — and in all respects fitted to be the 
companion <>f a statesman who bid so fair to attain high and 
commanding positions in the councils of the nation. Mrs. 
Coos survived her husband about three years, and died at 
Bellville in the year L830. 

At the general election of L822, Mr. McLean again run 
as a candidate for Congress, against Mr. Cook. His hopes 
of Buccess were, doubtless, predicated upon the " noise and 
confusion " consequent upon Mr. ( Vs vote upon the Missouri 
question. So great was the clamor of interested partisans, 
that, at the commencement of the canvass, the chances of 
the respective candidate- appeared to be nearly equal. In 
its progress, Mr. ('. satisfied the people of at Least the 
honesty of his intention in giving this vote, it" not the pro- 
priety of the vote itself. His constituents triumphantly 
sustained him, giving him forty-seven hundred and sixty- 
four votes, and Mr. McLban thirty-eight hundred and 
eleven— a majority of nine hundred and fifty-three. 

The project of a canal, to unite the Illinois River with 
Lake Michigan, was started soon after the organization of 






MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



the State Government. The Legislature of 1820-21 took 
initiatory steps in this matter, and it was brought before 
Congress by a report from the topographical corps, giving 
the results of a partial survey, and demonstrating its practi- 
cability. The canal project was a popular one in the eastern 
and western part of the State (there was no north at that 
period), and was opposed by representatives from the south- 
ern counties. Indeed, it found some opposition in the then 
great counties of Madison and St. Clair, growing out of 
sectional prejudices ; for a senator from one of those coun- 
ties, in the Legislature of 1S22-3, opposed it upon the 
ground that it would be an inlet for hordes of "blue-bellied 
Yankees," as he termed our eastern people.* The fears of 
that senator have been realized — and the results are the 
extensive commerce of our lakes, our rich and populous 
north, and our young and enterprising cities, teeming with 
life, activity, and business. 

In 1822 this subject was brought directly before Congress. 
Mr. Cook labored to secure such aid from the General 
Government as would enable the State to prosecute this 
important work, lie asked for bread, and received a stone. 
The utmost extension of Congressional liberality, was a grant 
of a strip of land ninety feet wide, through the public domain, 
from the Illinois river to the Lake ; and lest, by any means, 
the Congress of the United States, after such a munificent 
grant, should be further committed, a saving proviso was 



* To defeat or embarrass the canal bill, then before the Legislature, the 
Senator from St. Clair introduced a bill to drain certain lakes in the American 
bottom, alleged to be injurious to the health of the people in their localities. 
In committee of the whole, the friends of the canal were adroit enough to 
include in the bill, by the aid of southern senators, almost every inconsiderable 
pond in what would now be called southern Illinois. Having thus loaded it to 
its utmost capacity, an amendment was proposed, by a canal man, to appro- 
priate some thousand dollars to drain Lake Michigan, which also was incorpo- 
rated into the bill. This was a little more than bargained for by the senator, 
and he was compelled to aid in the destruction of his own bantling. 





[ON. DANIEL P. COOK, 



1. 







added, ilia! ilif United States Bhould in no wise become 
liable for any expense incurred by tin- State in ,- Bun <-,\ ing 
or opening >ai<l canal." 

In tin- intervening years, from 1822 \<> 1827, Mr. Coos 
urged tlii— measure in ( 'ongress, a- a national work, in which 
other Stair- were as directly interested a- his own, ami afford- 
ing to Government, in time of war, great facilities in the 
movemenl <•!' troops ami transportation "t" Btor The 
resnlt of hi- labors was tin- passage of the act of 1^27 (the 
last Bession <>l' hi- congressional career), granting in foe 
simple, t" tin- state, ami without any reservation, tin- alter- 
nate five sections upon each side of tin- canal, amounting t«» 
more than three hundred thousand acres of Land, and em- 
bracing the site of the City of Chicago. This act was worthy 
of a ( longress representing a great nation, ami i- wonderfully 
in contrast with that of \^-2 % 2. But its greater ami more 
enduring value was the precedent for future grants, embra- 
cing that I'm- railroad purposes, the effect of which we 
now feel in the enhancement <>t* the value of property, the 
increase of business, ami tin- general prosperity of the State. 

Opon the passage of the canal hill, that great ami long 
desired improvement was considered as "a fixed tact." ami 
the northern part of the State soon began to he Bettled by 
an enterprising class of people. It was not commenced 
until L836, ami under many difficulties ami adverse circum- 
Btances was nol completed until L848. 

The proposed National Road, intended to have been built 
by Congress, from Washington through the several .-eat- of 
governments of the western States, excited great interest in 
the middle and eastern parts of the State. At this time, the 
road (a perfectly Macadamised one) hail been completed 
neatly to Wneeling, Va.. upon it- way to ( "01111111111-. < >. I- 
was a Bplendid undertaking on the part of the National 
Government, and, in the absence of railroads, would have 
been a very important ami desirable improvement. 






Mr. Cook urged appropriations to continue the surveys 
westward of Columbus, through Indiana and Illinois, to St. 
Louis. He succeeded to such an extent that the line of the 
road was located to Yandalia, in this State, the streams 
bridged, and the road partially graded. Before this great 
thoroughfare was fully completed, even as far west as the 
seat of government of Ohio, its use was suspended by the 
construction of railway lines, so much in advance of the 
best constructed carriage roads, that, by universal consent, 
the work was abandoned, and the portions finished and 
unfinished conveyed to the several States through which 
it run. Though never completed, enough work was done 
on that part of the road passing through this State, to render 
it useful to those residing in its vicinity, and to the public 
generally. Extensive and durable structures were thrown 
over all the streams it crossed, the low bottom lands raised 
to the proper grade, and the wet ground thrown up, so that 
a line of stages was put upon the road in 1837, and continued 
thereon to this day. 

At the general election in 1824, Mr. C. was again a candi- 
date tor reelection to Congress. His uniform success and 
his great popularity rendered him a formidable competitor. 
None of his political adversaries were very desirous to enter 
the lists against him. He had twice beaten Mr. McLean, 
one of the strongest men in the opposition, and almost dis- 
tanced the real leader of the Bond party, Mr. Kane. It 
was thought necessary, however, to preserve the integrity of 
the party, to bring out a candidate against him in the person 
of Gov. Bond, the ostensible head, who, two years before, 
had vacated the gubernatorial chair. This latter gentleman 
had spent the most of his life in the Territory and State, 
residing, until elected Governor, in the present County of 
Monroe. He was a man possessed of strong natural abili- 
ties, but little improved by education. He stood deservedly 
high in the community, and in his administration of the 








HOW. DAN] II. P. OOOH ■ 17 



State Government, there was nothing particularly worthy of 

condemnation, unless thai in his appoint nts to office his 

political friends, b etimes not the mosl capable, were the 

genera] recipients of gubernatorial favors. 

Gov. Bond, though far behind Mr. McLean in talents and 
oratorical powers, had this advantage over him, in thai by a 
judicious bestowment of his patronage, lie had created man} 
political friends, who were botmd to do battle in his behalf, 
and expend their energies, influence and time in securing 
his election. It was apparently the la>t card that could be 
played against Mr. C, and like desperate gamesters, a dis- 
position was evinced to risk all upon the stake. A presi- 
dential election was also in progress, which might pass into 
the Hoii>e of Representatives, and vest the vote of the State 
in it> single representative. The Governor and his friend- 
took great interest in the success of Mr. Cbawpoed, then a 
candidate for the Presidency, who, though a member of Mi-. 
Moneoe's Cabinet, had given evident tokens of opposition 
to the administration, and had created ap active party of 
politicians, more intent, it was then believed, upon a division 
of the " loaves and fishes," than the promotion of thegreat 
interests of the country. Whoever Mr. C. might he/'"/', in 
the contingency the vote came into the House, it wa> certain 

he would vote against Mr. Orawpoed. Tims impelled bv 
persona] and political motives, the Governor and his friends 
entered warmly into the canvass, and labored zealously, hut 
without success. The vote for Mr. Cook was 7,4*;<>, while 
Gov. Bond received only 4,.'!74. 

It i- well known that the presidential contest of 1824 
resulted in the failure of the people to unite a majority of 
votes upon either of the four presidential candidates* before 
them. The question was therefore determined in the House 
of Representatives, ami the vote of Illinois was given by 

Mr. ( 'ook to Mi-. A.DAMS. 




tW^L 




IS MEMOIK OF THE LATE 



It is natural for those disappointed in their political aspi- 
rations, either by their own defeat or that of their favorite 
candidate, and the consequent loss of power and office in 
expectancy, to give vent to their wounded feelings and 
crushed hopes. Mr. C. had reason to expect that so impor- 
tant a vote as he gave, upon this occasion, would not escape 
notice or animadversion. JSTor was he disappointed in this 
regard, for he was charged with betraying his constituents ; 
of violating his pledges given at a previous election ; and 
having basely sold his vote for office. It is, therefore, due 
to his memory, that this matter should be placed in a proper 
light, and facts substituted for reckless assertions — the more 
especially as, at a subsequent election, he was beaten for 
Congress, thus giving some color to the charges preferred 
against him. 

The Electoral College of this State, in December, 1824, 
gave two votes to Gen. Jackson, and one to Mr. Adams ;* 
and as Mr. C, when before the people, in the summer of 
that year, had promised to be governed by the expressed 
will of his constituents at the November election for Electors, 
it was claimed, that as Gen. Jackson had obtained two elec- 
toral votes, he was therefore entitled to the vote of the State 
in Congress. The fallacy of this assumption is a misunder 
standing or a misrepresentation of Mr. C.'s pledge. He was 
too wise a man to make such a promise as would trammel 
his action in any given state of the electoral vote ; for he 
well knew that though a large majority of the people might 
favor the pretensions of one candidate, yet, by the division 
of the electoral districts, a comparatively small minority 
might secure the election of two electors, who would give 
their votes in opposition to the will of that majority. 

What was the promise made by Mi-. C. in relation to his 
vote in Congress ? is the first question to be determined. It 

* The Presidential vote, in 1824, was given by districts, the State being 
divided into three. 

g^. — - — 0p 





HON. DANIEL r. COOK. 




is contained in an address to his constituents, dated Ma_\ 
80th, 1 ^.M. and is in these words : 

" On the subjecl of the approaching election of a Chief 
Magistrate of this country, inasmuch as it has become fash- 
ionable* for members of Congress t" endeavor to diet ate to 
their constituents for whom t J u ■ \ • -hall vote, you probably may 
expect me to Bay something. Influenced by the principles 
which govern me as your representative, 1 do not consider 
it my duty to attempt such dictation. "1 on arc a> much 
interested as 1 can be in making a judicious choice. It is 
over your interests, as well as mine, that he is to preside. 
To each of you, therefore, as well as to me, it belongs to 
make a free and voluntary choice for yourselves. In voting 
in my individual capacity as a citizen, for an elector in the 
district in which I reside, 1 shall surely vote for him who 
will, in the Electoral College, Bupport the individual that I 
believe to be the best calculated properly and faithfully to 
administer the executive government. But should the 
electors chosen by the people fail to unite a majority of 
their suffrages on any individual, and thereby devolve the 
duty on the Souse of Representatives of choosing one for 
them. I shall feci it my duty to vote, as a Representative, in 
accordance with the clearly expressed sensi <>/ " majority of 
those whose will I shall he called upon to express. This is 
all I have to say on that subject." 

Mi-. Cook, then, was to lie governed by the "clearly 
expressed sense of a majority of those whose will" he was 
called upon to declare. Not, certainly, the vojU of tin >l><- 

tOTS, who were but three of the many thousands of his 

constituents. 

The next inquiry is, was the " & ns< of a majority" of 
his constituent- clearly expressed, or was it expressed at all ' 

At the election in August;, 1824, the aggregate vote for 
Congressman was 11,834; and the aggregate vote upon the 
convention question (for this was Bettled at tin- election), 



&& 



(S? 



ft 

20 MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



was 11,612.* The aggregate vote at the election in Novem- 
ber, for all the candidates for electors, was 4,707 — making 
a difference of 7,127 from the highest vote given in August, 
and showing that that number of voters had no will to express, 
or were so indifferent as to the success of the presidential 
candidates as to fail to express ij at all. But if we take the 
number of votes given in November, 1,707, as an expression 
of the will of the people, " a clearly expressed sense of a 
majority" would have required 2,354 votes to have been 
given to one of the candidates, to have brought him within 
the rule laid down by Mr. C. for his future action. Did 
any one of the candidates receive that number of votes ? 

( )f the clear and undisputed votes given upon that occa- 
sion, Mr. Adams, through his electors, received 1,541 ; Gen. 
Jackson 1,273 ; Mr. Clay 1,046 ; and Mr. Crawford 218. 
There Avere also given at that election, for James Turkey, 
Esq., who rim in the first district, professedly for Clay and 
Jackson, 629 votes. If Mr. Turney, and those who voted 
for him, were sincere in their preference for either Clay or 
Jackson, in such a calculation as the present one, it would 
be but fair to divide these votes between those gentlemen, 
increasing Gen. Jackson's vote (giving him the odd one) to 
1,588, and Mr. Clay's to 1,360 ; but giving Gen. Jackson 
all of Turney's vote, it would amount to but 1,901, leaving 
him in a minority of 453 votes. f 

But it was contended at the time, that Mr. Turney's can- 
didacy, though ostensibly for Jackson and Clay, was really 
for Mr. Crawford. It was well understood that Mr. Adams' 
strength was mainly in the first district, embracing Fayette 
County on the south, and Sangamon on the north, and that 



* The vote upon the convention question was, For — 4,912 ; Against — 6,640. 

f Gov. Rkynolds, in his Life and Times, p. 254, says Mr. Cook promised to 
" give the vote of the State for the presidential candidate who received from 
the people the most votes throughout the State." Comparing this dictum with 
Mr. Cook's address, shows that the Governor sometimes writes ad libitum. 




i 



111) honest noting could prevent him from obtaining tbe 
electoral vote of that district. The friends of Mr. Clay and 
of Gen. Jagkbob had bronghl < >ut candidates for electors in 
the first district for each of these gentlemen Doct. Johh 
Todd, of Springfield, representing Mr, Clay, and Messrs. 
J. \V. Scott and Jon. Beery, cam I it late- for Gen. .1 \< k 
Mr. Tiumv was Dominated by a convention of politicians 
convened at Edwardsville, in October of that year, in which 
the principal Crawford men of the first districl figured. 
The following is a part of one of the resolutions adopted at 
that meeting, disclosing, to some extent, the object desired 
to be obtained: "And this meeting, reposing their full 
confidence in the well-known republican principles and 
character of JAMES Tu:m:y. Esq., the Attorney General <>f 
this State, <!<> earnestly recommend him to the democratic 
republican citizens of this district, as a suitable person t<> be 
supported at the ensuing election, as an elector, whom the 
friends of Hinky Clay and Anm.m.u Ja< ksos ought to sup- 
port A\itli the fullest confidence that he will, in the Electoral 
Collc-v. 'vote [not for either Clay or Jackson, l»ut| for tfo 
om who) at the time of <',,//',/</, will sewn most likely to 
succeed against Mr. Adams? " 
That part of the resolution italicised was evidently intended 

to pave the wav for a Vote for Mr. CeAWFOED, if he \v;l> the 

one "most likely to succeed against Mr. Adams." 

It WEB a notorious tact, that in the first district Mr. ( Ibaw- 
ioi;i> hail many Btrongand infiuential supporters, especially 
among the politicians* <>\' that day; for, in addition to his 
supposed strong bias to recreate a oew political party proper, 
it Avas deemed certain, from hi- appointments, a- Secretary 
of the Treasury, that the patronage of his administration 
would flow through the Gov. 1So.ni> party channel, and that 



♦Among these were the Hon. .Ikssk H. Thomas, then one of our Senators in 
Congn ^, lion. T. W. Smith, la'..' one of the .Judges of the Supreme Court, 



Emamkl J. West, and otl 











22 MEMOIK OF THE LATE 




those who gathered under the Bond banner would be the 
recipients of the many offices in the gift of the President. 
Notwithstanding, it was not considered politic by the leaders 
of that party to run a candidate in the first district for their 
chief, or make any open demonstration in his favor. - The 
true friends of Mr. Clay and Gen. Jackson would have 
been slow to complicate the chances of either, by bringing 
out a candidate to run for both, while each had separate can- 
didates in the field. The inference is considered a fair one, 
that Mr. Turney was brought before the people by the 
Crawford party, either to secure a vote for Mr. Crawford, 
or lay the foundation for future attacks upon Mr. Cook, 
should he be called upon to vote in Congress for any of the 
presidential aspirants, and especially for Mr. Adams, whom 
he was known to favor. 

It is conceded that, after the election, in January, 1825, 
Mr. Tubney made a publication in one of the newspapers of 
the clay, that, if elected, he should have given the electoral 
vote to Gen. Jackson. And no doubt he then would ; for at 
the date of his publication, and, indeed, for some time before, 
the votes of the States had been ascertained, and though 
Mr. Crawford was, with Mr. Adams and Gen. Jackson, 
returned to the House of Kepresentatives, they having the 
highest electoral vote, yet public sentiment had narrowed 
the contest to these latter gentlemen, and Mr. Crawford 
was virtually out of the question. Had Mr. Turney been 
as free to declare his preferences in October as he was in 
the following January, after the attempted election by the 
people was over, all doubts in relation to the views of those 
who voted for him would have been removed, and the 
question would have been one of figures only.f 



* Samuel Allen offered himself as a candidate for Mr. Crawford, and 
received one vote only. 

f " Keep dark, Boone," was a common slang expression, and will be familiar 
to the older residents of the State. It originated from Mr. Ttrney's course in 
this election. 




as 



"Q^Q 




It may, therefore, be safely '-aid. that Mr. Cook, in giving 
his vote for Mr. An w-, violated qo pledge previously given, 
nor did he act in opposition to the will of his constituents, 
as declared at the November election. Tin- whole subject 
was referred to the people. They determined nothing. He 
was, therefore, left free to exercise hi- own judgment, and 
to vote for the man who, in his opinion, would best execute 
the functions of the Presidential office, [f the doctrine of 
pluralities was to guide him, he was bound to vote as he 
did — Mr. Adam- stood highest. Bis vote was clear and 
undisputed— that given to Gen. Jacksoh was complicated 
and doubtful. And was not the comparatively high vote 
given to Mr. Clay worthy of consideration in forming an 
opinion of the " sense of a majority " of the voters i If one 
vote might be transferred to another, was not the "elective 
affinity" of Cf.ay and Adams stronger than that of Clay 
and Jacksoh '. 

It must also he remembered that, in L825, Gen. Ja< 
was a new man for the Presidency. Though he had devel- 
oped extraordinary military talent-, hi- capacity for the civil 
administration of the government was yet untried and uncer- 
tain, and by many doubted. He certainly was not tl»< n the 
Gen. Jaoksoh of L832. Mr. Adam-, on the other hand, had 
been educated as a statesman. The great power- of his 
mind were understood and acknowledged; and, from former 
precedent, from the days of Jefferson, a- Secretary of State. 
u he was the presumptive heir to the succession." Under 
all these circumstances, the error of Mr. Cook, if error at 
all, must hi- accounted as only venial, an error of the 
judgment, and not of the heart.* 



* List of candidates for Electors, in 1824, a- announced in the papers of 

that dav : 

For lh\i:v Ci.ay — Poet. John Todd. 1st Diat ; James Gray and Samuel EL 

Clul.b, 2d Dial : William II. Bradabj and II. B. don,-, :. 1 Dist. 

For .Imiv Qi i\( v Ai'AMs — William II. Harrison, 1st Hi I nianl White, 

•2d Dist. ; Col. Pierre Menard, 8d Dist. 









MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



The last of the charges intimated, viz. : That Mr. Cook 
sold his vote for office, is sufficiently answered by the fact, 

For Gen. Jackson— Jon. Berry and J. W. Scott, 1st Dist. ; Henry Eddy, J. 
M. Street, A. Ramsey and Daniel Boatright, 2d Dist. ; A. P. Field and James 
S. Smith, 3d Dist. 

For Mr. Crawford— A. G. S. Wight. 1st Dist. ; Wm. M. Alexander, 3d Dist. 

For Jackson and Clay — James Turney. 

The following shows the Vote, at the November Election, for Electors for 
President, in 1824: 



IFirst District. 



Counties. 



Pike 

Fulton 

Sangamon... 

Morgan 

Fayette 

Greene 

Madison 

St. Clair 

Bund 

Montgomery . 



Total . 



Harrison. 


Scott. 


193 


6 


27 


1 


125 


17 


86 


12 


38 




85 




243 


5 


170 




75 


10 


21 




1063 


51 



Turney. 



1 

4 

9 

21 

45 

214 

198 

104 

13 

13 



Berry. 



i 

20 

3 

1 

1 

6 

13 



629 



58 



Todd. 



4 

123 

11 

12 

S 

49 

119 

6 

11 



Allen. 



343 



Second District. 



Counties 



Wayne. . . 
Lawrence 
Gallatin . 
Crawford. . 

White 

Hamilton. 

Clark 

Edgar 

Edwards.. 



Total . 



Eddy. 



Gray. 



62 
31 

199 
64 

111 

36 

1 

37 

55 



596 



18 
65 
4L 
64 

129 

25 

5 

26 

103 



476 



White. 


Clubb. 


6 
16 
47 
18 
58 

4 
13 
34 
29 


1 


225 


1 



Boatright, 



Street. 



28 
30 



64 



Thiixl District. 



Counties. 



Pope 

Monroe , 

Randolph . . 
Jackson .... 

Union 

Alexander. . 

Johnson 

Franklin 

Jefferson 

Washington 



Total. 



Field. 



41 
2 
47 
46 
153 
28 
41) 
49 
62 
29 



497 



Menard. 



Jones. 



11 

35 

149 

6 

15 

3 

2 

1 

1 

30 



253 



32 
2 



34 



Alexander. I Bradsby. 



11 

177 

7 

3 



5 

1 
14 



21S 



30 

12 

39 

10 

1 

4 

9 

9 

79 



193 



Recapitulation. 



1st, Dist. . . 


2d 


Dist... 


3d 


Dist. . . 



Total. 



Adams. Jacksoh. ! Clay. J Crawford, j Clay and Jackson, (Turney.) 



1063 
225 
253 

1541 



109 


343 


667 


476 


497 


227 



1273 



1046 



21S 
218 



629 



629 




t? 







that Mr. ('. neither Bought nor received any post of honor 
or profit from tlie new administration. Sad hisvalnable 
life been Bpared, it is hardly possible that a man of his 
industry ami commanding talents could hare remained lone 
in private life. His views for the future were disclosed in 
in the following extract of a letter to the writer "f this 
article, dated April, L827 : "Of the proceedings of Con- 
gress, it Is not necessary to say anything. 5Tou arc already 
informed of all that has been done. Whatever of censure 

or credit I may he entitled, I leave to the calm decision of 

the people; and when they shall make that decision, with 
the knowledge of all the tacts connected with each act, I 
shall not quarrel with them for it. But I am now on a tour 
to recover my health, it' possible— and it may he that the 
voice "t" praise or censure will be alike unheard by inc. 
before any opinion shall he formed. The probability of such 
a result, however, does not repress the hope that I may yet 
pass, with the people of the State, through many changes 
of increasing prosperity ; and finally, before the curtain he 
drawn, see Illinois what even in one man's life she may be, 
and what my feeble exertions have always aimed to aid in 
making her. 

"Should 1 recover mv health, so as to feel able to embark 
in the business of my profession, or any other business for 
which F am qualified, within a few months, I shall return to 
the State. But should it continue feeble, and yet improve, 
a- I hope it will, in the mild and genial climate of 
Cuba, the place of my destination, I shall probably remain 
there a year or two. or till, at least. 1 have fairly tested it- 
virtues." 

Mr. Cook was a candidate for reelection to Congress in 
L826. His old opponents would, doubtless, have suffered 
this election to go by default. No candidate was broughl 
forward to oppose him. In the course of the summer the 
people of the State were astonished at the temerity of g 





young gentleman, then but little known, in announcing 
himself as a competitor with Mr. Cook for this office. 

Gen. Joseph Duncan was then a resident of Jackson 
County, and engaged in mercantile business. lie had 
served in the regular army as a Lieutenant, in the war of 
1812, and had acquired some distinction in the humble post 
he occupied. He had also been a member of the Senate of 
this State, from the county of his residence, and probably 
held that office at the time he announced himself for Con- 
gress. He was, however, but little known beyond the few 
counties adjacent to Jackson, and no one, at the time, sup- 
posed he was fitted, either by education or experience, to 
exercise the duties of the office to which he aspired. His 
chances of success were apparently hopeless ; and, it is sup- 
posed, that a betting man, at that period, would not have 
risked one to one hundred dollars upon his election. He 
canvassed the State, however, with diligence and assiduity, 
and presented as bold a front as if assured of success. He 
was unaccustomed to public speaking, and in this respect, 
compared very disadvantageous^ with Mr. Cook. Yet he 
had the faculty of presenting his ideas in a plain and simple 
way, easily understood by the masses, and to a great extent 
effective in such a population as then constituted the State. 

The old opponents of Mr. Cook, of course, united upon 
him. As a candidate, he was a perfect god-send to them. 
If he failed in his election, it would be attributed not to the 
weakness of the party, but to the absence of all claims on 
the part of Gen. Duncan to such a position. To these 
were added the real friends of Gen. Jackson, who were 
dissatisfied with Mr. C. for his vote in Congress. Gen. 
Duncan received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook but 5,680. 

No event excited greater surprise and amazement than 
the result of this election — it was totally unexpected to 
friends .and foes. It may be safely said, that if an election 
could have been held immediately after the result was 




^.£ 






W^ 













II . • \ . 1 1 \ ,\ I 1. 1. P. UOOK 



27 



known, thr vote would bave been materially changed. 
"We did not intend," was a verj common remark, "to beal 
little Cook, luii bo i" lessen his majority as make bim feel 
lii- dependence apon as." It ie bul jusl t<» den. |)im w 
to Bay, thai bis constituents were happily disappointed, in 
hi-> Bubsequenl development <>t' talents and tact, rendering 
him a worthy successor to our second representath 

li nia\ be confidently asserted, thai Mi-. Cook's defeal 
was n<>! attributable t>< hi- vote apon the Presidential ques- 
tion. The small majority of 641 obtained byGen. Duncan 
would indicate this feet. For it', a- contended 1»\ many at 
that (lav, tin- choice of two electors for Gen. Ja< kson deter- 
mined the political character <>f the State, a much larg< r 
majority would have attended Gem Duncan's election. 
Taking, however, the votes casl for electors in 1824, as a 
tesl of the Bentiments <»t' the people, had the election <>f 
hi'ii turned upon the Presidential question, it will be Been, 
that by adding the vote given to Mr. Clay, L046 (nearly 
equal to that ui \cn t<> Gen. Jackson), t" .Mr. Adams' vote, 
1641, Mi'. Cook ought, upon tin- issue, to have received a 
majority as 2,587 is t<> 4.7<»7, or over four-sevenths <>t* the 
vote cast, giving t>> his opponent the exec— of votes, L67, 
over the votes given for Congressmen in L824. 

blatters of interest in ( longress, connected with this State, 
have hern briefly intimated in the foregoing pages. At the 
commencement of the Bession of 1825 6, Mi-. 0. was trans- 
ferred from tlu' Committee on the Public Lands, t>» that of 
tin- l 'ommittee of Ways and Mean-. The late Mi - . M< Lank, 
of Delaware, was chairman of that committee, and the 
oame of Mr. ('. was the Be.cond on tin- li-t of members. 
During the whole of tin- session of L826 7. Mr. M< Lank 



'General Dotii m remained in Congress until 1884, having been elected 
rnor in that year. Before thin time, his original supporters had left him, 
ami he was sustained mainly bj Mr. Took's old friends. 






was absent, and the duties of chairman devolved upon Mr. 
Cook. It was one of his cardinal principles to do well and 
thoroughly whatever he attempted ; and naturally inclined 
to overtask his physical powers, and a desire to acquit him- 
self with honor, led him to devote the hours of rest and 
recreation to examination and study. Occupied during the 
day in explanation of the varied and important measures 
presented to the House through this committee, every inter- 
val of time was spent in preparation for the public conflict. 
His feeble frame could not long endure the vast amount of 
labor he performed, and the last days of his Congressional 
life found him contined to a sick room. At the close of the 
session, he embarked, as before intimated, for Cuba, trust- 
ing to recover health and strength in the mild climate of 
that island. The journey was a vain one — and early in the 
month of June, Mr. Cook returned with his family, to his 
home at Edwardsville. During the summer, his health 
gradually declined; and he determined to return to the 
home of his nativity, and die upon the spot that gave him 
birth. He breathed his last on the ICth day of October, 
1827, at the early age of thirty-four, and his remains repose 
in the soil of his native State. 

From this brief statement of some of the incidents in the 
life of Mr. Cook, it will be seen that he was a self-made 
man. Without the aid of the schools, and by the mere 
force of the native powers of his mind, the few brief years 
of his public life developed intelligence and talent of no 
ordinary character. His powers seemed to expand with 
the occasion that called them forth. His mind Avas active 
and clear, and his command of language ready and copious, 
so as equally to interest the scholar, and enlighten the illit- 
erate hearer. But few men, then constituting the Congress 
of the United States, notwithstanding his youth, stood 
higher in public estimation, or were listened to with more 
attention and interest. His voice, though soft and nielo- 





ii ON. i>.\ nii i. r. i OOK. 



29 




dious, was of great compass and tone, equal to addressee in 
tlic open air, or in the halls of legislation. 

It has been said that Mr. Ooox was a popular man. His 
popularity was aoi based upon the artifices of the dema- 
gogue, or upon assumed traits of character. Hi- urbanity 
of manner and gentlemanly deportment were natural and 
constant. No one doubted bis truthfulness or sincerity, and 

■ 

bis benevolence and kindness of heart was universally con- 
ceded. Mr. ( \><>k\- com ersational powers were remarkable, 
and he made himself an agreeable companion with all 

classes of society, preserving at the Bame time the dignity 
and attributes of a well bred gentleman. In all the excit- 
ing contests through which In- passed, his manner toward 

his opponents was such as never to disturb social relations 
or friendly feelings. However strong the opposition for 
the time being, it ceased when the conflict ended; and if 
defeated, they preferred Mr. Cook's success to any other 
political opponent. Mr. Cook was generous to a fault. Il>- 
was often imposed upon by the unworthy ami deceived by 
the recital of imaginary sufferings. His kind heart forbid 
the withholding of pecuniary assistance whenever demanded ; 
and lie thought it safer to err in his charities, on the wrong 
side, than fail to bestow them upon worthy objects.* 

In hi- personal appearance, Mr. Cook was a -mall Bpare 
man, considerably under the ordinary hight. His usual 

weight did not. probably, exceed one hundred and twenty 
pounds. He wa- straight and erect in hi- person, and 



*In one of his journeys to Washington, upon the Ohio river, as the steamer 
approached Wheeling, the point of debarkation, a wtSl dressed person accosted 
Mr. 0., a perfect Btranger, and apologizing for his intrusion, said, "Sir, I am 
yel some distance from my home, ami am out of money. I know no one on 
board the boat. I have cloeelj scanned the countenances of my feOon passen- 
gers, and have discovered no gentleman more likcl} to assist me than youi 
Will you please, sir, make me a loan. " " Certainly,' 1 Mr. C. imme- 

diately replied, and suiting the action to the word, opened his pocket book, and 
handed him the desired sum. 






dO MEMOIR OF HON. DANIEL P. COOK. 





quick and. active in his movements. His features were 
plain but marked — and so indicative of intelligence and 
kind feeling as to render them agreeable and pleasing. He 
left behind him but one child, a son, now a resident of the 
city of Springfield in this State, and late Mayor of that city. 
In estimating the labors of Mr. Cook, it must be remem- 
bered, that he was virtually the first Eepresentative in 
Congress after the admission of the State; and that the 
settlement and arrangement of the various matters con- 
tained in the act of Congress changing our territorial to 
a State government, devolved mainly upon him. It is be- 
lieved that all questions arising out of the change, through 
his tact, talent and perseverance, were decided more favor- 
ably to our interests, than they probably would have been, 
if entrusted to other hands. Neither must it be forgotten, 
that in obtaining valuable concessions from the General 
Government, he had no precedent to urge, or land mark to 
guide him. It was subjecting the powers vested in Con- 
gress by the Constitution, to new tests, and applying them 
to new objects. It was an untried field of effort, in which 
every obstacle was to be overcome. The prejudice of 
opinion was to be combatted — and perhaps honest, but 
mistaken constitutional objections to be removed. To 
devote the public lands to any other purpose than that of 
replenishing the treasury, was then deemed by many a 
political heresy. It is now a settled principle, mainly 
through Mr. Cook's efforts, that the public domain is to be 
used for public purposes, and devoted for the promotion of 
the general interests of the whole people — a principle 
which, as we have seen, in 1827, invigorated our waning 
energies, and in 1851 placed us in the front ranks of the 
States composing our Union, and promises us a future, 
unless marred by our own folly or effeminacy, prolific in 
all the sources of material wealth, and the highest moral 
and christian civilization. 






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